LOST IN A FOG.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19744, 17 September 1927, Page 14

LOST IN A FOG.

RESCUE OF. STARVING MEN.

EIGHT DAYS IN OPEN BOAT.

ON THE VERGE OF DEATH.

A terrible experience at sea in an open boat for eight days was the lot of two French fishermen who wero landed recently at Liverpool by the liner Nova Scotia on her arrival from Si. John's, Newfoundland. When the Nova Scotia was about 120 miles from the Newfoundland coa*t the officer on watch sighted what is known as a dory—a small boat used exclusively by fishermen—on which thcro we to two figures waving frantically. The liner changed its course, and a number of passengers ami members of tho crew who rushed to the deck were horrified to find that tho two figures looked almost on tho verge of death. "Water, water," they demanded feebly. Eventually tho men wero hoisted to the ship's deck, where they collapsed from exhaustion. The men wero young Norman fisher* men from the French schoouer Theresa. While off Newfoundland they left tha ship in a dory to attend to some trawl* ing lilies, when suddenly a thick fog hid the schooner from their sight. A huge storm quickly arose, and their frail little craft was tossed about at the mercy of the wavt-s. When the storm abated they were far away from the ship. In tho boat they had a small quantity Of Water and eight biscuits. Jt was agreed to ration these supplies: After four days tho water supply gfeve out, and the next day tho last biscuit was consumed. Not until three days later was the British liner sighted. One of the men is said to have attempted to thrOW himself into the sea a few times. Ho Was prevented by his comrade. When taken on board the Nova Scotia, the men drank four and a-half gallons of tea and three pints of milk between them at a sitting, and Were then allowed lightly boiled eggs. They are now little the worse for their sufferings and are being sent home to France. A collection was made for them on board the liiier arhOng the passengers. An almost exactly similar experience to that of the two Normans befell Charles Williams and Robert May, two Newfoundlanders. They were also lost in a fog on the fishing banks. While line laying, and drifted for 11 days. They had a dozen biscuits and h&cked chunks of ice from an iceberg to drink. They lost three of their four oars, and were nearly dead when rescued. They received hospital treatment at Tilbury, and afterwards were taken to the Coliseum itl London. It was tho first time either had been to a theatre, and they were almost unable to express their wonder at the performance.